Stone, Tile & Floor Restoration FAQs - Birmingham, AL

Southern Surface Care cleans, restores and protects hard surfaces for homes and businesses in the Birmingham, Alabama area. We work on natural stone (marble, limestone, travertine, granite and slate), tile and grout, terrazzo, commercial wood floors and architectural metals. We also offer commercial maintenance programs and scent management.

We’re based in the Birmingham metro and serve all seven metro counties: Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, Walker, Chilton and Bibb. We also travel across Central Alabama for larger restoration and commercial projects. See our Service Area page for the communities we cover.

It depends on the type of surface, how damaged it is, the size of the area and the finish you want, so we don’t quote a flat price per square foot. We give an accurate price after seeing the surface in person during a free on-site estimate.

Yes, in most cases our on-site estimates are free. We usually can’t quote over the phone, because we need to see the damage, measure the area and check the surface before we can give a fair, accurate price. Call (205) 418-8400 or request an estimate online.

Cleaning removes dirt and residue from the surface. Honing uses abrasives to remove scratches, etch marks and dull wear patterns. Polishing then brings the stone to the sheen you want, from matte to high gloss. Many restoration jobs use all three steps, often followed by sealing.

Yes. In most cases, dull, etched or scratched marble and limestone can be honed and polished back to a like-new finish. Chips and cracks can often be filled and blended in. Replacement is rarely the only option. Learn about marble and limestone restoration.

Not always. Whether stone needs sealing depends on the type of stone, how porous it is and its finish; some highly polished stone won’t even absorb a sealer. When sealing is recommended, it gives you extra time to wipe up spills before they stain. We’ll tell you whether your stone needs it.

Clear grout sealing protects grout without changing its color and lasts many months. Grout color sealing coats the grout lines in a color you choose, covering permanent stains and blotchy spots, and lasts for many years. It can match your existing color or change it completely. See tile and grout services.

Yes. Terrazzo that is dull, stained, waxed, or found under old carpet can usually be restored by removing coatings, repairing chips and holes, then grinding, honing and polishing. A naturally polished terrazzo floor doesn’t need the repeated stripping and waxing that coated floors do. Learn about terrazzo restoration.

We provide wood floor refurbishing for commercial properties such as offices, hotels, restaurants and stores. Refurbishing deep-cleans the floor and renews the existing finish without the sanding, mess and downtime of a full refinish. At this time, we don’t offer residential wood floor services.

Yes. We restore and maintain architectural metals such as elevator doors, handrails, counters and fixtures. We can bring back satin, mirror or patina finishes, remove tarnish and oxidation, and apply protective coatings. Restoring metal usually costs much less than replacing it. See architectural metal services.

Yes. We set up scheduled maintenance programs (daily, weekly or monthly) for offices, hotels, healthcare facilities, restaurants and retail spaces, and we can work during your least busy hours. A good maintenance plan keeps floors looking new and reduces the need for periodic restoration. See commercial maintenance.

Use a pH-neutral cleaner made for stone, dust-mop often, and wipe up spills quickly. Avoid vinegar, lemon, bleach and other acidic or harsh cleaners, which can etch or dull stone. We leave every client with care instructions, and you can download our free Stone and Tile Care Guide.

Yes, we’re licensed and insured. Our founder, Christian Maniscalco, earned his Master Course Certificate at the Stone and Tile School. Southern Surface Care is also a vetted, Certified Surface Care PROS PRO Partner, a network of trained surface care specialists.

We accept cash, checks and all major credit and debit cards. When a job is finished, we walk through the work with you and don’t ask for a signature or payment until you’re satisfied.